What Tree Care Companies Do in the Winter

Winter tree care is key to keeping your trees healthy and looking their best. If you neglect them while they’re dormant, you might end up with unhealthy, unattractive trees in the spring. Learn the essential winter services your trees need to stay strong and thrive when warmer weather arrives.

PRO TIP: You can protect your trees in the winter by making preparations in the fall. For more information on preparing your trees for winter, see our previous articles on the topic:

• A Guide to Fall Tree Fertilization
• 5 Native Trees to Plant This Fall
• Fall Lawn Care: Aeration and Overseeding for a Healthier Lawn Next Spring

Key Takeaways

• Tree care companies operate in the winter despite trees being dormant.
• Winter is the best time for tree pruning, as it reduces stress on trees and limits the risk of disease spread.
• Tree removal is easier in winter, thanks to frozen ground, less mess, and the ability to remove hazardous dead trees before storms strike.
• Cabling and bracing weak tree sections in winter can help your trees withstand heavy snow and prevent future damage.
• Anti-desiccant sprays protect evergreen trees from winter drying, especially when exposed to harsh winds or road salt.

Winter Services from Tree Care Companies

While trees may go dormant in winter, tree care companies stay busy year-round. Unfortunately, many homeowners overlook the importance of winter services when in fact, winter is the ideal time for several key aspects of tree care.

Winter is the Best Season for Tree Pruning

Winter is the best season to do significant tree pruning. Pruning will give you healthier and more aesthetically pleasing trees. Though a vital service, improper pruning will actually harm your trees. Instead, trust a Certified Arborist to handle it.

Look for a company that offers winter pruning and follows the ANSI A300 standards. These voluntary guidelines instruct arborists on how to prune. Following them limits stress on your trees.

Benefits of Winter Tree Pruning

Winter pruning has several benefits for you and your trees, including:

• Causes Less Stress: Pruning causes stress for your trees. Winter pruning limits the stress since the trees are in their dormancy.
• Limits the Risk of Disease Spread: Pruning opens up wounds on a tree that act as entryways for insects and diseases. However, in the winter, insects and diseases are dormant or dead. This gives you tree time to recover and heal the wound before pesky insects emerge in the spring.
• Provides More Efficient Services: Without leaves, arborists can clearly assess your tree’s structure for precise cuts. Dormant trees also make cleanup faster with no leaves to manage.
• Protects Your Home: Heavy snow and winter storms can break branches. Pruning weak branches will reduce the risk of damage to your home.

Tree Removal is Easier in the Winter

Tree removal is the other major service tree care companies provide over the winter. Like pruning, tree removal is easiest in the winter.

Tree companies often have more open schedules for tree removal this time of year. However, they may need to reschedule removals when the weather does not cooperate. Heavy snow or ice makes it too dangerous to remove trees.

Benefits of Winter Tree Removal

Winter presents several benefits for tree removal, including:

• Frozen Ground: The frozen ground in the winter makes it easier for our team to bring in heavy equipment. We won’t have to worry about our equipment damaging your yard, making tree removal safer and more efficient.
• Less Mess: In the winter, there are no leaves to clean up, making post-removal cleanup quicker and easier compared to the summer months.
• Avoid damage from dead trees: Dead or heavily diseased trees become very brittle. They can snap or uproot during a storm. Heavy trees can easily destroy structures or vehicles, so removing these trees protects your home and family.

Cabling and Bracing Can Protect Your Trees

Cabling and bracing are two parts of structural support for trees. By installing a cable or brace in a tree, you may be able to save mature trees. Some instances where an arborist will recommend structural support include:

• A tree with multiple stems
• A tree with weak branch unions
• An overly long and unbalanced branch
• A tree with apparent signs of decay

Cabling and bracing weak sections of your tree in winter is important for its stability. Providing structural support now helps your tree better withstand heavy snow and reduces the risk of future damage. Taking action today can prevent the need for tree removal down the road.

Anti-Desiccant Sprays Help Trees in Winter

Anti-desiccant sprays are especially beneficial for evergreen trees during the winter months. These sprays help protect foliage from drying out in cold conditions.

Even in winter, trees continue to transpire, releasing water through their leaves. When they can’t replace the lost water, it can damage evergreen foliage, especially when compounded by road salt or harsh winds.

Anti-desiccant sprays work by forming a waxy coating over the leaves, slowing down transpiration and helping to retain moisture. We highly recommend these sprays for trees enduring tough winter conditions or those near roads with salt exposure.

Don’t Forget to Schedule Spring Tree Care in the Winter

While winter brings fewer concerns about insects and diseases, it’s the perfect time to start planning for the upcoming spring.

Many tree care companies begin scheduling spring treatments during the winter months. By booking your preventive care now, you’ll ensure your trees are protected from pests and diseases before they become a problem. Don’t wait—schedule early to keep your trees healthy and strong all year long.

Arborist Enterprises Can Help Care for Your Trees This Winter

At Arborist Enterprises, we’re here to provide the expert care your trees need to thrive through the cold Lancaster County winter. Whether it’s pruning, removal, or winter protection, our team is ready to help keep your trees healthy and safe.

Call us today at 717-393-7602 or request an estimate online.